If you're like me, and grew up a sports fan of any Detroit team, you've experienced a lot of heartbreak. Maybe some rejoicing, but mostly heartbreak.
Not to say that being a Detroit sports fan hasn't had it's moments. But let's be real here.... have we seen any of them hoist a trophy recently?
We locked down the top draft pick, or the best trade, this is going to be our year...These things are all too familiar.
The Lions
Let's start with the Lions, probably the most heart-wrenching team of all for Detroit. The closest they've gotten to a Superbowl was back in 1991, where they lost in the NFC Championship to the Redskins.
Perhaps the most frustrating component of being a Lions fan is the second half show of blowing a lead. The Lions being in the NFC North is arguably one of the toughest divisions, which doesn't help. Let's just say the epitome of the Lions fate can be described as the Green Bay hail mary the Packers took to win the 2015 regular season game.
Even with the Stafford and Megatron duo, still no ring. The Lions have always had the talent to offer satisfying, yet teasing glimpses of hope for the team. Will this be the year to make a run or will we see the same old team full of penalties and blown leads?
The Tigers
Now we have the infamous Tigers as a Detroit sports fan. This team has probably shown the most promise, but still is yet to deliver to it's fans.
Finishing in dead last in the AL Central in 2015, and first the four years prior, there's no knowing if the Tigers get to experience that October reign.
Most Tigers fans know what has stopped them from being successful.... the bullpen.
With a complete remodel of the bullpen by Ausmus this year, the days of blown saves seem to be a bit more quiet, especially with Francisco Rodriguez currently second in the American League for number of saves this season.
Ten years since the Tigs have been to the World Series. Being the hopeful fan I am, I'm convinced there's hope they could return to the stage this year.
Red Wings
From a fans perspective, the Red Wings have been pretty great, not missing the Stanley Cup playoffs since 1990. 25 consecutive seasons. Pretty incredible.
The most upsetting part about the Red Wings would have to be losing the Atlantic Conference semifinals the last three years in a row.
Can the Red Wings make something magical happen for their final season at Joe Louis Arena?
Pistons
Last, and certainly... least?
Sadly, the Pistons have been the most irrelevant sports team to Detroit fans.
Growing up, I remember it didn't always used to be that way. My family and I would spend every night watching the Bad Boys (Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince) prove their underdog leadership.
Larry Brown was a brilliant coach for them. He put the puzzle pieces together and made the Bad Boys' skill sets mesh.
Of course shortly after the Bad Boys era, there was a six year drought of missed playoffs after the 2008-2009 season. We've started to see somewhat of a promising team after the Pistons made the playoffs this year under Stan Van Gundy (although it was short-lived, losing to the Cavs first round).
There’s no joy in the season ending four games after the regular season ended. Perhaps the citywide pride over how hard the Pistons played against Cleveland is a little overdone. But it doesn’t change the fact that the future is much brighter now than it was a year ago. Stay loyal, Pistons fans.
